This week’s theme
New words

This week’s words
touch grass
doomscroll
shadow ban

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(SHAD-oh ban)

MEANING:

verb tr.: To block or restrict someone without their being aware of it.
noun: The practice of doing so or an instance of it.

ETYMOLOGY:

From shadow, from Old English sceadu (shade) + ban, from bannan (to proclaim). Earliest documented use: 2007.

NOTES:

In a shadow ban, the user keeps speaking. Their comments appear to post normally, but reach few or no others. It’s a way to deal with spammers and trolls without prompting retaliation or martyrdom.

USAGE:

“Some observers say that Algeria has enacted a shadow ban on French wheat -- as of Jan, a single shipment had entered the country in the past year, compared with the usual millions of tons.”
Lauren Collins; Schmear Campaign; The New Yorker; Jun 9, 2025.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: